The Wells City Council was deciding on new street lights for the coming highway projects. An example of a traditional light is pictured at left, while a more decorative one is pictured at right.

The Wells City Council held their first meeting of the month on Monday, March 10 and once again had a lengthy discussion on the type of lights to install along State Highways 22 and 109 during the future reconstruction projects of those roadways.

In the end, the decision was not a unanimous one. Council members Brenda Weber and Nancy Kruger joined mayor David Braun in voting in favor of a motion for the installation of the standard light fixtures offered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation instead of the decorative option also offered by MnDOT while council member Crystal Dulas voted against the motion. Council member John Herman was absent from the meeting.

During discussion, Weber shared that she had taken a trip to New Prague to check out the decorative lighting that MnDOT had installed in that town.

“I did not feel it provided enough light,” Baldwin said. “This (Highway 22) is a busy highway we are talking about and I am concerned about the safety of people if we do not provide adequate lighting.”

Another concern with the decorative lighting which Braun has brought up in past meetings is the cost of upkeep and possible replacement of the decorative posts compared to the stainless steel posts of the standard lights.

But, not everyone spoke in favor of the standard lights.

“The Wells Public Utilities Commission has recommended the use of the decorative lighting fixtures,” city administrator Tiffany Schrader said. “In addition, residents living along Highways 22 and 109 who have provided feedback overwhelmingly prefer decorative lighting, citing its more aesthetically pleasing appearance.”

Schrader added that other cities have received complaints after installing the standard fixtures.

“People are upset about the excessive brightness,” Schrader commented and then added. “While decorative poles may experience occasional minor damage from snow removal, lawn care, and pedestrian traffic, communities that have implemented them have not found maintenance concerns to be a significant issue.”

After the vote was taken, Schrader had one final comment and question for the council members.

“I am going to be the one who gets the phone calls from residents complaining about your decision,” she said. “What do I tell them?”

Council members answered they were concerned about the safety of the people, especially since there is going to be a bike lane built into the reconstructed highway.

The lighting was not the only controversial subject at the council meeting that night.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Gerald Sime, representing a number of residents living at the Broadway Apartments, lodged a complaint about the lack of adequate snow removal at the apartments following the previous week’s snowstorm.

“We are living in a senior high-rise apartment owned by the city and the manual shoveling was not done,” Sime stated. “If a resident would have needed to leave because of an emergency, it would have been dangerous. This is a health and safety issue for those of us who live there and the situation was unacceptable. Had someone fallen and gotten hurt, it could have been very expensive for the city.”

The council also held a closed session that evening to discuss employee misconduct allegations.

At the conclusion of the closed session, Schrader announced that Freeborn Milks was no longer employed at the Wells Liquor Depot.

Milks removed product from the liquor store without paying for it and the City Council determined that his behavior violated the city’s personnel policies

City engineer Ben Rosol was at the meeting and presented an updated tree replacement reimbursement program for the city to consider. Under the program, residents impacted by a street construction project may be reimbursed 100 percent of the cost of the tree and/or installation, up to $400 per tree, with a limit of the same number of trees removed per property per street project if conditions are met.

“This is for city streets,” Rosol reminded the council. “I highlighted the changes, one which states that no tree shall be planted within six linear feet of sidewalks and curbs.”

As for the types of trees eligible for replacement, Rosol said one concern which has been raised is the possibility of too many maple trees being planted.

“If everyone plants maple trees and we have a disease come in and infect them like we have seen ash trees harmed by the ash borer, then we could see a majority of the trees in the city wiped out,” Rosol remarked. “So, people are being urged to plant a variety of trees.”

The trees eligible for reimbursement are alder, American hornbeam, elm (must be resistant to Dutch Elm disease), hawthorn, hickory, maple, little-leaf linden, northern catalpa and oak.

The list of trees approved for boulevards includes Kentucky coffeetree, honey locust, little-leaf linden, maple, oak (swamp white oak, bur oak, northern pin oak) and common hackberry.

The updated tree replacement reimbursement program was approved by the council. The complete list of requirements which must be met will be available at City Hall.

Rosol also mentioned he was hoping work could start soon on the Broadway Avenue Project.

“We have learned that the spur track at the railroad crossing will be removed,” Rosol said. “We are still waiting on the railroad but I am hoping that will come through soon.”

Also on the agenda were two quotes for the reconstruction of two different alleys. One alley runs from West Franklin to First Street Southwest and the other runs from Third Street Southwest to Fourth Street Southwest.

“We have two different quotes,” Schrader said. “One from Ulland Brothers, from Albert Lea, is for a total of $43,531. The other quote is from W W Blacktopping out of Mankato for $38,120.”

The council approved the quote from W W Blacktopping.

During her report to the council, Schrader said that the Wells Public Library is receiving a $10,000 grant.

“I have included the 2024 Wells Public Library Annual Report in this month’s packet,” Schrader commented. “There is a lot of information in it and you will see that more people are using the library than ever before.”

Schrader noted that a portion of the proceeds from the grant will be used to purchase more large-print books along with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) packets for older adults.

In other business:

• Schrader reported that the city’s current CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) person, Pam Krill, had resigned. Krill’s last day will be March 14. Regional manager Dave Schmidt will be filling the role for the city of Wells until a replacement is found.

• Schrader reported that City Hall had experienced several unscheduled closures recently due to staffing challenges caused by illnesses and the recent blizzard.

• It was reported that the 2024 audit was taking place March 11 through March 13.